Improvement in head-boards for bedsteads



W. W. LUMMUS. HEADBOARDS FOR BEDSTEADS.

No. 195,296 Patented Sept.18,18'77.

Wifnesses;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM W. LUMMUS, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEAD-BOARDS FOR BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,296, datedSeptember 18,1877; application filed May 24, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

' of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement inHead-Boards of Beds, which improvement is fully set forth in thefollowing specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 isa perspective view of the headboard of a bed arranged with saidimprovement in one form. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig.3 is a perspective view of ahead-board arranged with said improvement ina manner different from that of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section ofFig. 3.

The object of my invention is to furnish a convenience for invalids andothers by constructing in or attaching to the head-boards of beds asmall shallow closet, with a letdown front, which front, when so letdown, opens the closet and forms a shelf at the head of the bed, and ata convenient height for the patient or occupant of the bed to reach.

This invention is found to be practically very useful in furnishing aconvenient recep' tacle for medicines, bandages, napkins,nursing-bottles, &c., and is especially useful for hospitals andasylums, and for mothers with nursing babes. The shelf is also useful asproviding a lamp and book shelf where often most desired.

In the practical application of my invention to the manufacture ofbedsteads, I design the head-board with such arrangement of panelingthat one of the panels may be of proper shape and height to constitutethe aforesaid let-down shelf, being hung with hinges or dowels at thelower edge, as shown at F,'Fig. 2, on the drawings. I sometimesconstruct this panel so that its hinges and catch are concealed fromview, in order that when not required for use it may have the appearanceof an ordinary panel.

In some cases, where space will not admit the closet at the back of thehead-board, I omit the closet and apply the let-down shelf or panelalone to the head-board, either disguised as a common. panel or simplyhinged upon the head-board.

I make the closet in the form of a shallow tray or case, and apply it tothe back of the head-board, as shown at 0, Figs. 1 and 2. The shelf orpanel B, when let down, is suspended in a horizontal position by thewires or bands D D.

I also make, for application to beds already made, a similar combinationof shelf and closet, (shown in Figs. 3 and 4,) in which the headboardforms the back of the closet, and the whole is attached to the front ofthe headboard by the metallic lugs L, or by any other convenient means.

I sometimes hinge the shelf upon its upper edge to open upward, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 2, instead of downward, as above described, inwhich case it is supported, when in use, by adjustable brackets orbraces, instead of being suspended by the metallic bands. In this forman advantage is sometimes gained by admitting the use of a broader shelfand the placing of the closet lower and within easier reach.

In my invention I claim no novelty in panel shelves nor panel-closets,but believe the application of such conveniences to the headboards ofbeds to be both new and very useful.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

l. The head-board A, having a recess, 0, provided with a door, B,opening toward the bed, substantially as described.

2. The head-board A, provided with an adjustable board, B, arranged toopen to form a shelf, or to fold against said head-board to present theappearance of a panel, substantially as shown.

3. The head-board A, provided with the centrally-located recess 0 anddoor B, adapted to 'be opened to form a shelf, supported by braces D,substantially as described.

WM. W. LUMMUS.

Witnesses:

N. G. LOMIBARD, E. A. HEMMENWAY.

